... 's words, perceived mad, proved to be profound, was with his encounter with Polonius. Polonius, trying to keenly pry from Hamlet his ailment, strikes up a seemingly innocent conversation with Hamlet. To test his madness, Polonius asks Hamlet if he knows Polonius. when Hamlet replies wittingly, Polonius is assured that it was the talk of a mad man. "Do you know me, my Lord ... let all sleep . . . the imminent death of twenty thousand men . . for a fantasy and trick of fame . . go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot. (IV.V.55-63) The true test of Hamlet's transcendence into kingshi...

• Word Count: 2932
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School